Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and School

Dear Family and Friends of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and School:

Jesus Christ is Risen! He is truly Risen! The Tomb is Empty.

Father Curtiss Dwyer and his Seminarians, Deacon John and Marcia, the Pastoral Council, the Finance Council, the Faculty and Staff of the Parish and School, and all Liturgical Ministers join me in wishing you all a HAPPY AND JOYOUS EASTER!

The season of Easter this year has a significant blessing for our community. I would like to mention a few of these blessings as follows:

First, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the numerous gifts of time, talent, and treasure you have so generously and freely given to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish. I am also happy to report to you that the parish is growing and flourishing due to all of your efforts.

Ten months ago, I came to join our Parish and School with a little anxiety but trusted that God’s love would lead us to His agenda. I have been pleased to see new faces at Mass. We have had a significant number of new parishioner registrations. I welcome the new parents of our school and the sound of young children.

Due to your generosity, the parish offertory has increased by 40% from July through April. I am also pleased to report that the books and CD fundraiser has brought to our parish and school over $23,000.00 to date. I am grateful to the priests and their parishioners who welcomed our volunteers to their parishes to promote the books and CD’s, and thanks to our volunteers who gave of their time at other parishes to make this fundraising successful.

We have had a significant increase in Baptisms, and we have weddings planned in the Church for this summer. The Church has seen several people go to their reward in the last several months. Please continue to pray for Lee Candalaria, Helen Terlep, Helen Cook, Bob Costello, Joe Michaud, Susan Knoll, and Irene Baum and their families. I wish to thank our liturgical musicians and the Grief Ministry for serving the families in their time of sorrow.

We have had an increase in enrollment of adults and children in Religious Education. We thank Sister Marilyn and her teachers for all of their efforts. We welcome our six newly baptized Catholics and other candidates into full communion with the Church.

As you know our parish and school are in need of prayer, healing, an increase in enrollment, and stewardship. I joined with all of you in doing whatever I could to build up our community by donating all of my CD’s and books, and, of course, with my prayer, time, talent, and treasure. Please join me in offering your best effort.

The formation of our Pastoral Council has been a positive addition. We recently compiled the results of the parish survey that so many of you responded to. You will receive a letter after Easter with these results. I also thank the Finance Council for their effort and support in helping me in the pastoral ministry. I have been pleased with the spirit of our children from Our Lady of Lourdes School. Currently, we have 105 students, with room to grow. They are the present and the future of the Church, and I am committed to not only offer them a quality education with Catholic faith, values, virtues, but one that fills their deep spiritual needs as well. The children have been seen more at daily Masses. They are attending Mass together each Friday, and you will see various classes attend a second daily Mass during the week. Contact the school if you would like to register for the 2009- 10 school year.

The recent school fundraiser was a great success. I am grateful to so many volunteers and benefactors who made this the most profitable school fundraiser the school has ever had. To our senior citizens, we love you and thank you for their gracious presence in the community. I have been pleased with the attendance at the Senior Mass and Potlucks, and many have received the anointing of the sick. Also, the Friendly Group has offered our seniors time to learn, pray, and visit with each other.

Please continue to pray for the Youth Ministry. We are making every effort to bring this ministry into our community. More information about Youth Ministry will follow. Lastly, I am looking forward to my continued work with the parish and school. May the Risen Christ renew us in love, faith, hope, and joy.

In Christ’s love, I remain

Fr. Peter Quang Nguyen
Pastor